This is my favorite Emma movie, and I think I’ve seen them all being a huge Jane Austen fan. This Emma character is more entitled and less down-to-earth than the other movie Emmas. She’s not going to pick her own flowers from her hothouse – she’s going to have her servant do it, and correct him when he reaches for the wrong one! Not that she’s void of tenderness – Anya Taylor-Joy’s expressive face does well at registering sympathy and sadness in Emma, along with a good amount of disapproval and impatience.

I found this script to be funnier than earlier versions of the story. These well-bred aristocrats are absolutely terrified of minor discomfort or effort which is quite humorous to a modern observer. Frank Churchill and Mr. Elton are creepier here, too. Not that Mr. Elton is ever portrayed as an upstanding guy, but this Elton is even more ridiculous in his extravagant snobbiness. Jane Austen was a genius at creating characters with signature quirks, and each one is vividly brought to life in this production. One personal standout is Miranda Hart who was a wonderful Miss Bates, maybe less annoying and more sympathetic than in other portrayals.

Mr. Knightly, well played by Johnny Flynn, is wise, sympathetic, and practical as always, and also makes some astute observations in this movie that I don’t remember hearing in the other Emma movies. He also likes to mess with Emma for fun and doesn’t hesitate to tell her what’s what regarding her actions. He makes no secret of hoping various forces will bring her down from her high horse a notch.

One overarching factor that sets this version apart from its predecessors is the obvious big budget available to these filmmakers. The production is opulent, with costumes, scenery, interiors, and music that make this Emma’s world rather breathtaking. The lighting is beautiful, with lots of candles and natural light creating environments I expect are very true to actual 18th-century interiors.

Although this Emma may not be for everyone, I’m very excited to have this film in my rotation, to watch when I’m in the mood for a lighthearted character study of a girl who thinks she has it all figured out but learns some lessons along the way. See also “Clueless”, one of my other favorite movies based on the same story.